Exploring Disability Justice and Increasing Accessibility

Kate Williams, Director of Advocacy Supports, Disability Equity Center 

Kate Williams (she/her) is the Director of Advocacy Supports with the Disability Equity Center (DEC). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from George Mason University, with a post-baccalaureate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. For the past twelve years, Kate has worked as a professional in the disability support community (with a focus on intellectual and developmental disabilities) and for the past four years, worked specifically in the nonprofit sector in Oregon. Ms. Williams has trained folks both regionally and nationally on topics related to mixed abilities program development, youth and young adult disability justice work, and increasing awareness, understanding and application of Universal Design and accessibility tools across communities and organizations. Kate is also a proudly Disabled Oregonian who enjoys her social justice community, doing lots of yoga with her kitty and rescue pup, and learning as much as she can, as often as possible.

Image Description: A picture of Kate Williams, a white woman in her thirties is standing in front of a wall of pink roses. She is pictured from the shoulders up and turned three-quarters towards the camera. She has dark brown hair cut into bangs and is wearing pink glasses. She is wearing a sleeveless black and white top. She is smiling.

Nicole Langpap, Intern,  Disability Equity Center 

Nicole Langpap (she/her) is in her third year of undergraduate study at the University of Oregon where she is studying Psychology, Spanish, and Disability Studies. She is a member of the Clark Honors College and the Emerging Leaders Program. In her free time, she works as an early childhood accessible educator, serves on student government as the secretary of accessible education, and engages in disability advocacy in her community through working with the Disability Equity Center as an intern. She also takes part in research at the university in the psychology department and in campus consent education as a facilitator. Nicole is a passionate advocate for equal access to quality education and mental health services regardless of ability status, and hopes to continue educating and pushing for disability pride, justice, and equal opportunity.

Image Description: A picture of Nicole Langpap, a 21 year old Latina woman with brown curly shoulder length hair, freckles, and a big smile. She is wearing a floral velvet shirt and there is a flowering tree behind her.